Arnsparger Remains Coy About Future, Says He Won’t Coach

Bill Arnsparger, who announced his resignation as LSU football coach Saturday, kept the mystery going Sunday by sidestepping questions about his future.

Arnsparger, 59, has led LSU (9-2) to the Southeastern Conference and a berth in the Sugar Bowl against Nebraska. He has a 26-7-2 mark in three years, including three bowl berths.

Arnsparger has been wooed by the University of Florida for the athletic director’s job and has expressed interest in the same post at LSU, which recently became vacant when Bob Brodhead resigned.

Asked Sunday if he is still in the running for the Florida job, Arnsparger said, “I can’t answer that.” Will he apply for the LSU job as athletic director? “That is one of my options,” replied Arnsparger.

One thing is for sure, Arnsparger said: “I’m not going to another coaching job.”

A new LSU coach should be named quickly, said Arnsparger, because of recruiting. He put in a pitch for all of his assistants, but it is believed he favors defensive coordinator Mike Archer.

Also mentioned prominently as a successor have been Tulane Coach Mack Brown and Southwestern Louisiana’s Nelson Stokely, who once was a quarterback at LSU.